Travel Tips
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Best of Brittany, France in 2022 Part 1
If you have been asking yourself “What Should I See and Do in Brittany, France in 2023?” look no further. In today’s post, I will share my 2022 Highlights to give you some ideas for your upcoming trip. See something in particular that catches your eye? Please leave a comment and I will be sure to cover that area in more detail in an upcoming post. Please also use the Search function to see if I have already written about that area or town. I have been blessed with a few wonderful clients who kept me quite busy in 2022 (and into 2023, thankfully), but I took full advantage of…
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Beyond Brittany: A Visit to Mont St Michel
When visiting Brittany, one simply must travel to nearby Normandy for a visit to Mont St Michel. Sitting just 1 km from the mainland, it is one of France’s most beloved islands. Today’s post will give you some tips as to how and when to travel to Mont St Michel to get the most pleasure from your visit. Mont St Michel lies just outside Brittany, about one hour from St Malo and a smidge over an hour from Rennes. If Dinan is your home base, it too is only about an hour away. If staying in Paris, there are numerous tours that run from the city, though that tends to…
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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
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A Coastal Drive in Brittany
The days are growing longer, reminding us that spring is just around the corner. Spring is my favorite season, as it is always full of the promise of new life. This year, I think that rings even more true. With some encouraging news about vaccines, we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief, knowing that we may see some sense of normality yet this year. Those of us with a serious case of wanderlust are beginning to imagine – and dare I say plan – for the day that starts with an early check-in at the airport, and ends with our feet touching the soil of a foreign land.…
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Best of 2020
Yes, I know, the title is somewhat …. interesting. Did we have a best of anything in 2020?! Like many of you, I had goals and plans for the year that went, shall we say, a little off course due to a little thing called Covid 19. For one, I planned to spend spring break and the summer holiday in Brittany. I would have taken you along on my many adventures, we would have tasted delicious cuisine, and we would have learned some useful French phrases along the way. Alas, this was not the year for adventure. No, this was a year to just keep going, and some days, even…
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12 Day Itinerary: Brittany, Normandy, and Paris
I don’t know about you, but I miss traveling. I miss it like one misses an old friend. I’ve had a sense of wanderlust for decades, and while I am capable of being happy at home, I long for adventure. I miss my friends and my beloved Brittany. I miss hearing French in the streets and in the shops. I even miss the airport, and that’s saying something. To travel is to be pushed out of our comfort zone, to discover new places, and meet new people. There really isn’t anything better, in my opinion. I know this too shall pass, and, like many, I’m dreaming of the day in…
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When is the Best Time to Visit Brittany, France?
As so many have had to cancel their travel plans this year, would-be travelers are looking ahead to 2021 as the year to take their dream vacation. Maybe that is a trip across country or perhaps further afield. It could be a trip that they’ve been organizing for years but put on the back burner due to family or work obligations, finances, or just not being comfortable with planning an itinerary. Regardless of the destination, I love the idea of looking ahead and making a commitment to ourselves to go after our travel goals. With a bit of pre-planning, those dreams can become a reality. To those readers considering a…
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Bécherel: A Book Lover’s Dream
There’s something special about holding a book that someone cherished during his or her lifetime. Many years ago, I bought a set of old books at a bouquiniste (stand with used and antique books) in Paris. A 2nd edition of Les Misérables, in four separate books, pages worn from years of resting in someone’s hands. There were even old letters tucked inside, written to a young girl. From whom, I wondered? An aunt or grandmother, perhaps? The book itself holds two stories: one of the author, and one of the reader. Some people prefer brand new books, but I prefer just about anything with a story. Late last summer, my…
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Going Further Afield: Driving in France
After exploring Rennes by foot (see An Afternoon in Rennes) it’s time to go further afield. Rennes is a hub for train travel, so it is quite easy to spend some time walking about the city then hopping back on a train into any number of towns in Brittany. From Rennes, you can take a train from the Gare de Rennes to the Gare de Saint Malo in just under an hour, and for between 11 euros (2nd class) and 22 euros (1st class) per one-way ticket. (These prices may vary depending on day and month.) You can catch a train to Dinan for about the same fare. Dinard, one…
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Travel Tips: How to Plan Your Trip
The idea of taking a trip is exciting, especially when it’s to a place that you’ve always wanted to visit. Maybe you’ve dreamed of walking through the lavender fields in Provence, or admiring the great works at the Louvre. Perhaps you’ve wanted to explore castles in the Loire Valley or visit the stunning beaches of la Bretagne. While the idea of being at your destination can be exhilarating, it’s working out the logistics of getting there that can be exhausting. I’ve heard friends say that their vacation plans fell through because the idea of planning the trip – especially to a place they had never been before – was just…
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Pack light, pack right
If there is one thing that I’ve learned in my years of travel, it is to pack light. There is nothing worse than shuffling through the airport with a heavy bag. These days, I travel as light as possible, with a small carry-on and personal item. People ask how I can pack so lightly, and my answer is, you really only need a basic wardrobe, comprised of quality pieces that can be worn a few times and easily interchanged. I only pack for a week, regardless the length of my stay. With a little laundry soap and a quick trip to the local laundromat (or the bathroom sink), you can…
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Best of Brittany, France in 2022 Part 1
